Popular Sheffield parkrun forced to change route due to ‘safety concerns’

Like much of the country, Sheffield continues to be hit by bad weather, with more heavy rain and snow forecast overnight (23 February).

Organisers of Hillsborough parkrun have said the grassed areas within Hillsborough Park are currently “sodden with pooling water in many spots”, which will quickly become muddy when finishers queue to scan their barcode.

A post on their Facebook page read: “We are very conscious that we do not want to damage the grassed areas and therefore for the safety of parkrunners and out of respect for all users of Hillsborough Park, we are making a temporary change to the course”.

The loop behind the tennis courts, which forms part of the route, has been temporarily omitted due to standing water in the area. The finish line has also been adjusted to keep the distance at five kilometres.

This new temporary route will consist of three full laps, minus the tennis courts, with runners required to carry on past the usual finish line for 561 metres to complete the full distance required. The start line will remain in the same place.

Organisers say the route will remain altered “for a few weeks” until the grass dries out.

The event takes place every Saturday at 9am in Hillsborough Park. It is one of six weekly parkrun’s in the city.

Organisers of Sheffield Hallam parkrun have also been forced to change their route.